Congress leader Bhunia appointed PAC chairman, party opposes

Kolkata, Jul 4 (PTI) Veteran Congress leader Manas Bhunia was today appointed as the chairman of the PAC in the West Bengal Assembly amid opposition by his own party which wanted to offer the post to CPI-M leader Sujan Chakrabarty.

The Congress and the Left Front members walked out of the House in protest after Speaker Biman Banerjee announced the name of Bhunia as PAC chairman.

Later, Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan told reporters, "The Speakers office is being used by the TMC to serve its own political interest."

The Congress said Bhunia should tender his resignation from the post of PAC chairman.

Congress chief whip Manoj Chakraborty said, "How can he (Bhunia) go against the decision of the party? He has to resign from the post of PAC chairman."

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also said Bhunia should tender his resignation.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan during the day wrote to the Speaker extending their support to Left Front Legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty for the post of PAC chairman.

Bhunia during the recess held a closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her chamber.

Bhunias name was later announced as the chairman of the PAC by the Speaker, following which the Congress and the Left Front walked out of the House in protest.

The Speaker later told reporters that he had followed the convention by offering the post to the main opposition and followed the rule 255A.

Asked whether Bhunia had betrayed the party, Mannan said, "If someone tries to play into the hands of the ruling party then it is his matter but everybody should remember one thing that people are watching us. I will inform my party high command,."

Bhunia declined to make any comment when asked. He walked out of the meeting of Congress legislators called by Mannan.